One of the scenarios that may work for the unification is South Korea absorbing the North without a bloody war, because a unified Korea would face three strategic choices: Continuing the alliance with the United States, becoming an independent regional power, or tilting toward China. Clearly the issue of reunification has been very divisive in the South Korean society between progressives and conservatives. I think it will take longer than expected. A unified Korea could become a balanced power and an intermediary between the great powers of China and Russia.

Unification will offer North Koreans a golden opportunity to engage with the outside world and upgrade their living standards, infrastructure and industry. For this reason, policy decision makers need to continue to discuss on how a unified Korea will behave and the shape of the US-South Korea alliance, plus US-China ties. Answers to these questions are speculative and difficult to conceptualize in this short column.

I was also a guest speaker at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. I made a presentation about women's rights and the role of journalism in the Middle East. It was an open discussion with young Koreans. I told them that this meeting is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience about the future of Korea between its young people and a Kuwaiti and other Arab women from the Middle East. One of the key topics of discussion was the rights of working mothers, and I was amazed with the mutual concerns between Korea and the Middle East.

As for food and Korean eating habits, it was really a great experience to try Korean food and learn more about Koreans' passion for healthy food and lifestyle. They are very careful about the quality and quantity of the food consumed, and I know for sure that obesity is not an issue there. Smoking is forbidden nearly everywhere except for a few open places. They are keen on healthy living.

I conclude this article with few significant remarks made by the UN Secretary-General to the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity on May 26, 2016. He said that many factors today drive crises, from governance failures to human rights violations, and climate change remains a major concern. He added that the UN will continue to support democratic reforms across Asia. The UN Secretary-General concluded his speech by calling everyone to join forces to enable this continent to create a better future and a better future for all the people around the world.

The visit to Korea had a full agenda, but the rich topics and new places we visited, as well as the officials and people we met, made it worth the time and efforts we all put in. I made many new friends including members of the delegation that came from various countries. Thank you Korea Foundation. You have a great nation.